The bust joins two others of historical Latin American leaders at the park's International Plaza: South American liberator Simon Bolivar and Mexican independence leader Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

Marti's bust is slightly smaller than the other two but perhaps more intense in appearance.

``A gentle intensity,'' said the bust's sculptor Marc Smit, a Cuban-American living in Miami. ``Look him in the eyes, and he will look right past you.''

Marti, born in 1853 and killed in battle in 1895, is revered by Cubans much in the way George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hold honored places in American history.

Yet Cuban-Americans at the unveiling said Marti represents both the historical glory of ousting Spanish rulers and the current hope of bringing democracy to their homeland.

``All of us dream that Cuba will be free again,'' Paul Baquero said.

In fact, while many spoke of tyranny in the Cuban government, no speakers talked of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

``Fidel Castro has long hands, he has a lot of spies, and he has long hands here in the United States,'' Humberto Garcia said after the speeches.

Nearly all in the crowd of about 200 were born in Cuba. ``I would say 99 percent of them,'' said Manuel Coto, an Orlando doctor who helped organize efforts for the bronze bust.

Yet many said they wouldn't go back to live in Cuba if the nation's politics suddenly changed and permitted them to do so.

``We've made a new life here,'' said Marcos Marchena, an Orlando attorney.

The unveiling transported many people's thoughts to their homeland.

Orange County Chairman Mel Martinez, born in Cuba, told the group that when he was in second grade his school dedicated a bust of Marti.

Martinez said he remembers his school holding a flag ceremony every Friday at the bust.

Others nodded, remembering their own school's Friday flag ceremony.

``It was something I hadn't thought of in many, many years,'' Olga Sanchez Del Fuentes said.

Participants in Friday's ceremony will take part in a flag procession today. It starts at 3 p.m. from the Orange County Administration Center, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., and ends at the Marti bust several blocks away.